As D.C. United attempted to pick up their first win of the season and generate positive momentum before returning to the road during their match in Annapolis, it was the heel of Luciano Acosta that served as the catalyst for an early goal and the ultimate game-winner.
Acosta directed a nifty back-heel pass to Paul Arriola who found Ulises Segura for the game’s only goal in the first minute of play against the Columbus Crew.
While the goal marked the third fastest score in United’s history, Segura’s finish also moved Acosta into sole possession of 10th place all-time in assists for the Black-and-Red with 18 career helpers.
At just under 24 years old, Acosta is the second youngest player in team history to reach the 18 assist mark. He trails only his head coach, Ben Olsen, who achieved the feat shortly after he turned 22.
“Lucho has matured a great deal since last year. He’s playing more consistent soccer and his mentality is stronger," Ben Olsen said.
The Argentinian midfielder made his Major League Soccer debut with the Black-and-Red in 2016. It took just six games for Acosta to record an assist—he tallied his first against the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 9 in a two-assist game in only 13 minutes played.
On Aug. 27, 2016, Acosta tied the club record for assists in a game with three in United’s 6-2 victory over the Chicago Fire. In his MLS debut season, the midfielder finished with a team-high mark in assists, totaling 11.
Acosta continued his contribution rate in the 2017 season, finishing as the leading scorer on the team with five goals and five assists. The Argentine will look to sustain his production in 2018 and is off to a solid start—in five games played, he’s scored once and assisted twice. Acosta needs four more assists to pass Dwayne De Rosario for ninth place on the all-time assists list.
"He’s been instrumental in our attack this year," Olsen said. "And the good news is we haven’t seen the best of him yet."
